By Constance
Brissenden (unless otherwise noted)
With additional research by Larry Loyie
The History of Metropolitan
Vancouver Hall of Fame represents nearly 500 of the thousands of
people who have contributed to the history of the lower mainland
of BC. They come from all walks of life, all cultural backgrounds
and all occupations. All of the Hall of Famers are now deceased,
and we are proud to include a brief record of their accomplishments
here. For the first time, Metropolitan Vancouver has a biographical
directory that includes many individuals from communities overlooked
in the past.
If you have suggestions for inclusion (remember
the person must be deceased), please contact us HERE.
A B
C D
E F
G H
I J
K L
M N
O P
Q R
S T
U V
W X
Y Z
For Mayors of Vancouver,
click here.
A
Henry Braithwaite Abbott CPR executive b.
June 14, 1829, Abbotsford, Que.; d. Sept. 13, 1915, Vancouver. Studied
civil engineering at McGill. Throughout his career, he held important
positions in eastern Canadian railway systems, before appointment
as CPR superintendent. Present at laying of the last spike Nov.
8, 1885 at Craigellachie; rode the first train from Montreal to
Port Moody with Lord Strathcona and CPR president Sir William Van
Horne. In March 1886, let the contract for the clearing of the townsite
of Vancouver (pop. 500). A mountain in the Selkirks and Vancouver's
Abbott St. are named for him.
 Ivan
(Ivor Frederick) Ackery Movie promoter b. Oct. 30, 1899, Bristol,
Eng.; d. Oct. 29, 1989, Vancouver, on the eve of his 90th birthday.
Moved to Vancouver in 1914. As manager of the Orpheum Theatre (1935-69),
he was known as Mr. Orpheum, Atomic Ack and Little Orpheum Ackery.
Promotional stunts earned him two Motion Picture Quigley Awards,
the theatre promoters' equivalent of an Oscar. Paraded a cow down
Granville with a sign: "There's a great show at the Orpheum
and that's no bull." The lane behind the Orpheum is called
Ackery Alley. Biblio: Fifty Years on Theatre Row.
Harry Adaskin Musician b. Oct. 6, 1901, Riga,
Latvia; d. April 7, 1994, Vancouver. A child prodigy, he played
the violin from age 7. Founding member of the Hart House Quartet
(1924). In 1946, moved to Vancouver. Established musical faculty
at UBC, retiring in 1973. Known for his efforts to popularize classical
music. Received Order of Canada (1975); LL.D (UBC, 1980). Biblio:
A Fiddler's World and A Fiddler's Choice.
Hy Aisenstat Restaurateur b. April 28, 1926,
Calgary; d. Aug. 11, 1988, Vancouver. Son of a Russian emigre wholesale
grocer in Calgary. Hy worked in sales, then owned a small oil company.
In 1955, with wife Barbara (b. Mar. 20, 1934, Kirkland Lake, Ont.)
opened Hy's Steak House in Calgary with a $3,000 loan. Moved to
Vancouver (1960) and opened Hy's at The Sands, The Mansion (1979)
and Hy's Encore. By 1968, Hy's of Canada united 12 companies, with
restaurants across Canada, and in Chicago, Honolulu, Palm Springs
and Beverly Hills. Called his restaurants "saloons" and
smoked 10 Havana cigars daily. Host to Bob Hope, Marlene Dietrich,
Louis Armstrong and other stars.
Henry Osborne Alexander First white male born
on Burrard Inlet, judge b. Dec. 13, 1873, Hastings Mill; d. April
18, 1920, Vancouver. His father was Richard Alexander. Educated
at St. Paul's College, Esquimalt. Called to the bar in 1896 and
practised in Vancouver. On . 10, 1908, when two South Vancouver
neighbors came to court over ownership of a rooster, Magistrate
Alexander ordered the bird turned loose on the street to decide
for itself where it belonged. An early, active member of the Royal
Yacht Club.
Richard Henry Alexander Hastings Mill storekeeper
b. March 26, 1844, Edinburgh, Scotland; d. Jan. 29, 1915, Seattle.
In 1855, emigrated to Toronto with his parents. In 1862, joined
an overland party from Minneapolis to the Fraser gold fields. Kept
a diary of his journey, now in the Vancouver City Archives. Reaching
New Westminster, he odd-jobbed until 1870 when he took over the
Hastings Mill Store. Quickly rose to mill accountant, later manager
on the death of Captain James Raymur . Served as justice of the
peace, member of the Granville school board, and on other public
bodies.
Tom Alsbury Mayor of Vancouver, 1959-62 See
Mayors of Vancouver.
R.A. Anderson Mayor of Vancouver, 1894 See
Mayors of Vancouver.
Margaret Grant Andrew Arts activist b. Mar.
19, 1912, Kingston, Ont.; d. July 30, 1982, Vancouver. Daughter
of William L. Grant, history professor and principal of Upper Canada
College. Graduated from McGill (BA, economics and political science,
1933). Worked in a bank, then joined CBC when it started in 1936.
Vancouver School Board trustee (1975-76); chair (1977-79). A popular
figure in the artistic and academic community, she was active in
B.C. Arts in Education Council, Vanier Institute of the Family,
Vancouver Art Gallery, Family Service Association and University
Women's Club. Husband Geoffrey was vice president of UBC and director
of Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada (d. 1987).
Henry Forbes Angus UBC dean b. April 19, 1891,
Victoria; d. Sept. 17, 1991, Vancouver. BA (McGill U., 1911), MA
(Oxford, 1919). In 1919, joined UBC as assistant professor of economics.
Head of economics, political science and sociology (1930-56). First
dean of graduate studies (1949-56); Dean Emeritus (1956-). One of
the few public voices to oppose internment of Japanese-Canadians.
LL.D (UBC, 1956). His wife, Anne Margaret (b. Anatolia, Turkey)
was a diplomat's daughter, UBC graduate (1923), president of the
University Women's Club and a child welfare activist. She wrote
the first UBC student play (The High Priest, 1922) performed by
the University Players' Club and received an LL.D (UBC, 1933).
Francis (François Noel) Annance Abenaki
explorer b. 1789, St. Francis, Richelieu Valley (Quebec); d. c.
1851, St. Francis. An Abenaki interpreter's son, he went to Moor's
Indian Charity School in New Hampshire. Joined North West Co. (1810);
supported the British in the War of 1812. Chosen for difficult expedition
from Fort George to the Fraser (1824), establishing Fort Langley
(1827). After conflicts with Hudson's Bay Co. chief factor John
McLoughlin, over a lack of promotion, said to be due to his native
heritage, Francis resigned but was forced to complete his contract.
Returned to St. Francis (1845) as a Protestant school teacher. Annacis
Island originally Annace's Island is named for him.
James William Armstrong Flour and sawmill
owner, politician b. Oct. 31, 1826, Peterborough, Ont.; d. Dec.
18, 1915, New Westminster. Came to B.C. in 1858. First white settler
in New Westminster; first merchant (general store, 1859-73). Built
first house on the Fraser and first flour mill (1867-71). Elected
one of first town councillors (1860-73). From 1873-76, he was B.C.
minister of finance and agriculture under Amor DeCosmos. In 1881,
named provincial secretary. In 1883, appointed sheriff of Westminster
County.
William Henry Armstrong Bridge builder, first
B.C. car owner b. Sept. 18, 1857, Stratford, Ont.; d. March 31,
1922, Vancouver. At 16, worked as a railway switchman, later in
bridge construction. From 1877-83, he was a master mechanic in Winnipeg.
Moved to Victoria 1883; worked for CPR until 1887. After 1902 his
firm, Armstrong, Morrison & Balfour, built the Fraser River
bridge at New Westminster, Great Northern Railway bridge across
False Creek, and Granville and Main street bridges. Began seven
bridges in August 1912, all completed in May 1913. Paved many of
Vancouver's streets. "He astonished the citizens by introducing
a gasoline wagon," the first car in B.C., bought in Boston
in 1899.
Balwant Singh Atwal Sikh priest b. India;
d. March 1917, Lahore, India. Well-respected in the Sikh community,
he was the first priest of the 2nd Ave. gurdwara (temple). His son,
Hardial Singh Atwal, born at the temple (Aug. 28, 1912) was the
first Canadian-born Sikh and now lives in Duncan. After his wife
Kartar Kaur became ill the family moved back to India. En route,
Balwant was jailed in Singapore as a revolutionary. A letter from
the temple confirming his position was never received by the authorities.
He was hanged in Lahore on charges of sedition and political agitation
against the British government.
Jack (John Henry Patrick) Avison Orchestra
conductor b. April 25, 1914, Vancouver; d. Nov. 30, 1983, Vancouver.
Played his first piano concert at age 6 at Grandview Elem.; at 11,
broke in as pianist-announcer at local radio station. Awarded BA
(UBC, 1935), B.Mus (U. of Washington, 1936). Studied with Paul Hindemith
at Juilliard. Pianist with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. "Big
John" was founder and conductor of 35-piece CBC Vancouver Chamber
Orchestra. In 1971, conducted the Canadian Arctic's first orchestral
concert. Produced more than 40 recordings. Noted for his support
of Canadian composers. He "belonged to the last generation
of the pioneers of music in Canada." Twice received Order of
Canada.
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